In Honkai Star Rail With A Dating System-Chapter 278 - 277: Spirit Consoling Ceremony

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[Option 2: Politely decline with, "Mrs. Cocolia, I feel this proposal is rather abrupt." - Completion Reward: Praise of High Morals. At the fountain in Belobog Administrative Region's Central Plaza, you can use one Praise of High Morals to retrieve treasures once. Note: This type of item will...]

This time, there were only two options presented.

Seeing the reward of Praise of High Morals, Bochang felt his heart nearly skip a beat. freēwēbηovel.c૦m

Well, considering the circumstances, it seems like my only choice here.

Chances were high that the Silver Wolf was covertly watching nearby, along with Bailu present beside them. If Bochang dared to readily accept, he could expect a swift trial upon their return.

And so...

Bochang politely declined, stating, "Mrs. Cocolia, I believe this proposal is somewhat hasty."

[Reward being issued—Congratulations! You have received a Praise of High Morals.]

Just earlier today, he had used one already.

Now, Bochang had received yet another accolade, the Praise of High Morals.

Upon hearing this response, Cocolia felt slightly disappointed.

Bronya's emotions were complex; she worried both about Bochang agreeing and disagreeing.

Bailu placed her hand on her hip and remarked, "I thought it was something significant... turns out you just wanted to propose an alliance through marriage with Bochang."

"It was merely a casual suggestion. Since Mister Bochang finds it too abrupt, let's allow you two more time to get acquainted first."

Cocolia's expression remained unchanged.

Bronya hesitated, unsure what to say.

Bochang simply smiled and said, "Miss Bronya is exceptionally intelligent, and I am certainly open to getting to know each other better. However... I have pressing matters at hand, so I won't linger any longer."

Taking Bailu's hand, Bochang activated the power of his teleportation ring.

After a few seconds, the connection resonated from the other side.

A blinding white light enveloped Bochang and Bailu.

In an instant, they vanished.

Leaving behind only Cocolia and Bronya standing there.

"Mother, regarding that proposal... why didn't you discuss it with me beforehand?"

"It happened too suddenly; there was no time." Cocolia shook her head.

Bochang's refusal fell within the former Great Guardian's expectations, so she found it unsurprising.

"For now, I've merely informed him of our intentions."

"But I..."

"Bronya, for Belobog's future, small sacrifices are necessary." Cocolia turned to gaze at the distant, war-torn plains, scarred by relentless bombardment. "It's not just about you; if Bochang were willing, even I..." Her voice trailed off as she placed a hand on her full chest, feeling its heavy heartbeat.

Bronya remained silent.

Meanwhile...

Bochang returned to Xianzhou Luofu, appearing alongside Bailu in Stelle's room.

The gray-haired girl, clad in her nightgown, lay sideways, quietly observing them.

"I'm back," Bochang said. "Still asleep, Stelle?"

"It's only 5 A.M...." Stelle yawned.

The gray-haired girl's slightly squinted eyes suggested she was still drowsy.

Smiling, Bochang said, "Alright, I won't disturb you then. Goodbye."

"Don't leave... Stay here and keep me company." Stelle reached out to stop him.

Just as Bochang took a step forward, he paused, glancing down. Bailu quickly chimed in, "I'm feeling sleepy too; I can only nap on Stelle's bed."

With that...

Bailu rushed to Stelle's bedside, removed her shoes, and hopped onto the bed.

Noticing this, Bochang realized any deep conversation with Stelle would be impossible at the moment.

So...

Bochang sat beside Stelle, gently ruffling her hair, and said, "Go ahead and sleep, I'll stay here with you."

"Miss me needs head pats too!" Bailu swiped her tail against Bochang's hand.

Stelle pondered for a moment.

"Did anything significant happen while you were in Belobog? I'd like to hear about it."

"Well, speaking of which...we did encounter something noteworthy," Bochang shared the news of the Antimatter Legion's resurgence with Stelle.

Bailu added one more detail at the end.

"Cocolia still wants to arrange a marriage with Bochang..."

A slight ripple passed through Stelle's golden eyes.

"I didn't agree to it," Bochang reassured her promptly. With these words, he managed to appease both young women.

As time swiftly moved forward, morning arrived.

The first rays of sunlight peeked through the window.

March 7th opened the door and paused upon seeing Bochang and Bailu in Stelle's room. "Well then... you returned without even coming out to greet us?"

"I wouldn't want to disturb your rest," Bochang explained.

March 7th pouted slightly. "You always have excuses. It's time to get up for breakfast anyway, and after that, we need to visit the Sky-Faring Commission..."

By the time the Astral Express group finished breakfast and arrived at the Sky-Faring Commission, Lord Yukong was already waiting at the entrance.

"It seems...we're a bit late," Welt Yang observed, gazing at Yukong.

"I arrived too early," she replied. "Now that everyone has gathered, let us proceed together to witness the ceremony."

The Spirit Consoling Ceremony.

In the words of short-lived beings, it was akin to a funeral. However, for the eternal life inhabitants of Xianzhou, matters concerning death remained a distant and abstract concept.

After all...

On ordinary occasions,

before signs of Mara possession appeared, the Ten-Lords Commission's guides would escort individuals to the Causality Hall. There, they would recount their life experiences before passing peacefully into oblivion. Everyone had grown accustomed to brief farewells rather than elaborate burial rituals.

The only ones who placed significant importance on posthumous ceremonies were the foxfolk, with their limited lifespan of just three hundred years.

During the recent Stellaron Disaster,

many civilians, including some cloud knights, met sudden deaths.

Therefore...

the Sky-Faring Commission decided to organize a Spirit Consoling Ceremony.

The deceased's belongings would be placed aboard star ferries, sent off from Xianzhou, and navigated towards the stars, merging their radiance with those celestial bodies.

This ritual not only comforted the departed souls but also provided solace to all living residents of Xianzhou.

Apart from members of the Sky-Faring Commission,

representatives from the Seat of Divine Foresight, Divination Commission, and others...

would all participate.

Notably, prominent figures like Jing Yuan and Fu Xuan were expected to attend as well.

As they walked along, Yukong turned to Bochang and expressed gratitude, "I owe you another favor."

Previously, Bochang had facilitated an improvement in Yukong and Qingni's relationship. Now, he also helped locate Tingyun. Acknowledging another favor owed seemed entirely appropriate.

"It's a small matter; Lord Yukong need not concern himself," Bochang gently shook his head. "Rather than that...how is Tingyun doing now?"

"Miss Tingyun is currently receiving treatment at the Alchemy Commission. With some time, she should be able to resume her duties normally."

"Hmm..." Suddenly, Bochang realized he had seemingly forgotten to use the Horse Talisman's power to heal Tingyun.

However...

Since there were no significant issues with her health, all she needed was proper rest and recuperation.

The group swiftly advanced and soon arrived at the location where the Spirit Consoling Ceremony was taking place.

One by one, the deceased's belongings were loaded onto star ferries, which then set off together, departing from Xianzhou Luofu. They embarked on their journey through the vast cosmos, resembling a dense fleet heading towards battle—a remarkably grand spectacle.